BWW Interviews: PRISCILLA's Bryan West Answers Our Silly Query

This week, the fabulous frocks and fierce fun of the first national tour of the hit stage musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT continues its return to Southern California by traveling up from San Diego for a one-week limited engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, October 22 - 27. Adapted from the Oscar-winning film of the same name, this eye-popping, candy-colored confection follows three drag divas on a road trip through the Australian outback. Naturally, hilarious high-jinks ensue---all to a soundtrack of familiar dance floor hits.

One of the fab trio is young Adam---whose drag alter ego is named Felicia. The catty yet cheerfully outspoken character is played with high camp by BRyan West. Prior to donning corsets and fake eyelashes, on both the national tour and Broadway companies of PRISCILLA, West's other Broadway credits include HAIRSPRAY, WICKED and LEGALLY BLONDE.

Before the colorful caravan parks itself here in Costa Mesa, West agreed to answer a few silly questions...

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Hi Bryan! Most male actors on stage shows don't have the luxury of wearing fabulous frocks like your character does in PRISCILLA. With that said... which is your fave costume in the show?

My favorite costume in the show that I wear is probably the full sequined silver bodysuit and I wear it while I'm on top of a giant high heel on the bus lip-synching to La Traviata!

...And which is your least favorite?

Anything that has a corset is my least favorite mainly because it's harder to breathe in them [Laughs]!

Who could you see yourself being best friends with in real life... Adam or Felicia... and why?

I could see myself being best friends with Felicia because she's really fierce and does crazy production numbers---so it would be fun to hang out with somebody like that. Never a dull moment.

What kind of tips and/or response(s) have you and the cast received from "pro" drag queens about your drag work on the show?

The professional drag queens that I've talked to across the country feel very honored that their art is being portrayed in such a large scale production.

For you, what number in the show is the most fun to do every night?

I love to sing "Like A Prayer." Who wouldn't like singing Madonna every night?

Haha! Okay, pretend we stole your Phone/iPod, what kind of music will we find on it?

I have the most random taste in music. You would find anything from country to hip-hop / R&B to polka on my iPhone. Okay maybe not polka.

What kind of pre-show rituals do you do before a performance?

Before a show I do yoga for about a half an hour, and of course since I play a drag queen, I shave!

What is a dream role in another stage musical that you wish to play someday?

I would love to be in THE BOOK OF MORMON. That show looks like a lot of fun.

What scares you the most?

I really don't like heights which is ironic because I enter the show on cables from above the stage every night.

What is your one guilty pleasure?

Eating ice cream and watching The Vampire Diaries is definitely a guilty pleasure.

What do you like to do on your day(s) off?

On my days off I love being outside as much as possible!

What or Who irritates You the most?

Socially conservative Republicans irritate me.

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

Money. Ooh and The Golden Girls put a big ol' smile on my face. :)

If you could trade lives with someone for one day, who would that person be and why?

I would trade lives with my dog Mae West. She's insanely spoiled and gets to sleep all day long!

If you weren't an actor, what other career do you see yourself doing?

I love to cook, so having a food truck or something like that would be cool.

And lastly, what has been your favorite moment of the PRISCILLA experience so far?

I have met some extraordinary people doing PRISCILLA including my boyfriend. That's pretty special.

Performances of PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at Segerstrom Center for the Arts continue through Sunday, October 27. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.

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About Author

Michael Lawrence Quintos is a quiet, mild-mannered Art Director by day. But as night falls, he regularly performs on various stages everywhere as a Counter-Tenor soloist, actor, and dancer for The Men Alive Chorus since 2002. He's sung everything from Broadway, Jazz, R&B, Classical, Gospel and Pop. His musical theater roots started early, performing in various school musical productions and a couple of nationally-televised programs. The performing bug eventually brought him a brief championship run in the Philippines' version of "Star Search" before moving to Las Vegas at age 11. College brought him out to Orange County, California, where he earned a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Film Screenwriting. He has spent several years as a designer and art director for various entertainment company clients, while spending his free time watching or performing in shows.